Peer-reviewed article
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Learning Outcomes For Upper Elementary School Students
- Akmal Muhamad, Dinar Dinangsit, Aam Ali Rahman ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the relationship between physical activity and academic learning outcomes in 205 upper elementary school students in Indonesia using a correlational design. The researchers found a surprising negative correlation: students with higher levels of physical activity had lower academic performance. The authors suggest this may be due to time management challenges and fatigue from intense physical activity reducing study time, rather than physical activity itself being harmful to learning.
Key points
- Sample of 205 students in grades IV-VI from Indonesian elementary schools
- Negative correlation found between physical activity level and learning outcomes (r = -0.181, p = 0.009)
- Result contradicts existing theories suggesting physical activity improves cognitive function and academic achievement
- Authors propose that time management and fatigue from high-intensity activity may explain the negative relationship
- Study recommends schools and parents help students balance physical activity with adequate study time
Limitations
The study uses cross-sectional correlational design, which cannot establish causation or determine whether low physical activity causes better grades, high academic demands reduce physical activity, or other confounding factors influence both variables. The use of self-reported physical activity via questionnaire may introduce measurement error.
Abstract
This study aims to determine the relationship between physical activity and learning outcomes of upper-grade elementary school students. Physical activity is defined as body movements that require energy expenditure and is categorized into light, moderate and heavy activities. This study used a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The research sample amounted to 205 students in grades IV to VI who were selected by purposive sampling technique from several elementary schools. The instrument used to measure physical activity was the PAQ-C (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children) questionnaire while learning outcomes were obtained from students' report cards. Significant between physical activity and learning outcomes with a correlation value of -0.181 and a significance of 0.009. This means that the higher the students' physical activity level, the lower their learning outcomes. This result contradicts some theories that physical activity improves cognitive function and academic achievement. However, this finding can be explained through time management factors and the high intensity of physical activity, which can cause fatigue and reduce study time. This study provides important implications for schools and parents to help students optimally balance physical activity and study time.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Observational measurement of physical activity levels and academic performance to examine their relationship
- Population
- 205 upper elementary school students (grades IV-VI) from multiple schools in Indonesia, selected by purposive sampling
Key finding
Negative correlation between physical activity and learning outcomes (r = -0.181, p = 0.009)
Muhamad et al. · OpenAlex · 28 Feb 2025